October 21, 2003
Interesting Fender Guitar Collection
by Tom Watson
A collector in England has assembled an interesting set of all six of the American Standard 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Fender instruments as pictured below (photo from a 1996 Fender press release).
1996 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Fender company (1946-1996), and in celebration Fender produced a limited edition anniversary series of the following instruments (along with the total number of instruments made):
50th American Standard Stratocaster (2,500)
50th American Standard Stratocaster Left Handed (250)
50th American Standard Telecaster (1,250)
50th American Standard Precision Bass (500)
50th American Standard Jazz Bass (500)
50th American Standard Jazz Bass V String (500)
Text from the 1996 Fender press release:
Exclusive features on these once in a lifetime instruments include: gold plated American Standard hardware, highly figured maple veneer top and back, Antique Sunburst finish, vintage pickups and electronics, white plastic parts, and black tolex vintage case with orange plush interior and vintage Fender nameplate. In addition, each model is equipped with a specially engraved neck mounting plate with the Fender 50th Anniversary logo and limited edition serial numbering (i.e., 1 of 2,500). A definite must for every collection! |
This is an interesting example of non-vintage Strat collecting. Each piece in the collection was a challenge to find in near mint to mint condition, especially the left handed American Standard Strat of which only 250 were made, and the set as a whole has a value greater than the sum of its parts, an example of the benefit of assembling a collection that has a unifying theme.
The set has recently come on the market. If interested, you can contact the collector here: anniversarycollection@stratcollector.com.
Published October 21, 2003 07:41 AM.